The 11 most important UNLV football players in 2023

UNLV opens the 2023 season on Saturday with a mix of familiar faces and new recruits brought in by first-year head coach Barry Odom, all in the hope of finally getting the Scarlet and Gray over the hump and into a bowl game. It's an interesting roster, with high-potential players dotting just about every position group, but will the new-look squad be able to end the decade-long drought?

A look at UNLV’s 11 most important players for 2023:

11. Jose Pizano, K, senior

In college football, reliable kickers are worth their weight in gold. UNLV has had it good the past few years with human metronome Daniel Gutierrez making just about every extra point and field goal, but now that he has graduated, it’s time to see how the other half lives. Except Barry Odom may have scored an under-the-radar recruiting coup in the offseason when he snagged Pizano from the transfer portal. The senior was rock solid last year at Missouri State, making 35-of-35 PATs and 12-of-16 field goals, and he was even better the year before, connecting on 21-of-24 FGs. Pizano was good enough in training camp to think UNLV’s kicking game will remain a strength.

Teammate’s take: “Jose did a very good job stepping in for Guty. He hasn’t let me down yet in practice. I put my whole faith in him. If we’re in a situation where we need a kick, I believe that he’ll get it done.” — QB Doug Brumfield.

10. Donavyn Lester, RB, senior

UNLV needs a lead back, and Lester is built for the role. The William & Mary transfer is a tank at 6-foot-2, 215 pounds, and he flashed an impressive power/speed combo during training camp. Over the last two years, Lester averaged 6.1 yards per carry.

Teammate’s take: “Donavyn is very good with his feet and he can get off blocks. He’s very shifty. You have to have good leverage with him and wrap him up pretty well, or he’ll shed you pretty easily.” — DL Tatuo Martinson. 

9. Cameron Oliver, CB, junior

The ball just seems to find Oliver. He led UNLV with three interceptions last year, and being the playmaker he is, he returned two of them for touchdowns. Odom asks a lot of his defensive backs, and Oliver has risen to the challenge so far, consistently batting down passes in training camp. He’s ready to be a No. 1 corner this season.

Teammate’s take: “He’s a ball hawk. He’s going to get that ball. It doesn’t matter what’s happening, Cam Oliver is going to get that ball out.” — DB Johnathan Baldwin.

8. Zavier Carter, edge rusher, junior

Carter is all potential at this point. A former four-star recruit, he failed to live up to expectations during his two years at LSU, in large part because the Tigers couldn’t find a consistent role for him. UNLV seems to have solved that issue, as Odom is making him the starting outside linebacker and giving him the green light to be a full-time pass-rusher. Carter’s athleticism is evident; no one deflected more passes at the line of scrimmage than he did during training camp. If he has a breakout campaign, the UNLV defense has a chance to be good.

Teammate’s take: “He’s a great, explosive player…I can’t wait to see how he does in games.” — RB Donavyn Lester.

7. Ricky White, WR, junior

White was part of a productive 1-2 punch last year with receiver Kyle Williams. Now that Williams has transferred, 2023 is White’s time to shine as the go-to guy on the outside. He excelled at creating separation on deep balls in practice, and quarterback Doug Brumfield trusts him enough to launch the ball his way even when he’s covered. Look for White to top his line from last year (51 catches, 619 yards, four TDs).

Teammate’s take: “Ricky is easily one of the smoothest players on the field…He can make plays down the field and on short passes.” — Brumfield.

6. Jerrae Williams, DB, senior

There may not be a more unique player on the defense, as Williams lines up at all three levels and executes a wide range of roles. Though he’s listed at 5-foot-10, 185 pounds, Odom is starting him at outside linebacker (really it’s the nickel defensive back position) and using him to provide a physical presence in the box. Williams spent much of training camp rushing into the backfield, putting pressure on quarterbacks and running backs behind the line of scrimmage. And he’s still got the coverage skills to stick with receivers and tight ends after posting two INTs last year.

Teammate’s take: “Jerrae is one of a kind, for sure. He’s the first of a kind that I’ve blocked against, especially with his size. He’ll come off the edge blazing speed. He’ll challenge you.” — TE Christian Earls.

5. Tiger Shanks, OT, junior

Protecting the quarterback is a top priority for every team, and because Doug Brumfield is a lefthanded thrower, the responsibility of shoring up the blind side falls to Shanks. The 6-foot-5, 320-pounder is heading into his third year as a starter, and that experience is starting to show as he enjoyed a solid camp. With UNLV installing a run-heavy offense, the team will also be counting on Shanks to open holes up front.

Teammate’s take: “Tiger Shanks is a very hard worker…He’s done a great job of getting strong. That’s what we need when it comes to protecting our quarterback.” — Lester.

4. Jackson Woodard, LB, junior

One of Odom’s best moves in the transfer portal was securing Woodard’s commitment. Woodard played two years under Odom at Arkansas and arrived with an in-depth understanding of the defensive system, and his UNLV teammates credit him for being a good communicator and helping teach the finer points of the scheme. The players voted Woodard a team captain, and he’ll be calling the plays in the defensive huddle.

Teammate’s take: “Woody is the leader of the team. He has a big impact being in the middle of the defense…He’s calling the plays. That gives you the confidence that you have somebody who knows what he’s doing, and he also gives you your assignment. He’s a very vocal leader.” — Baldwin.

3. Darius Johnson, DT, senior

The most fundamental tenet of Odom’s defense is stopping the run and creating 2^nd-and-long situations. That puts Johnson, a 300-pound senior, in an unusual position for a defensive tackle: the spotlight. Since UNLV will be playing three down-linemen on most snaps, Johnson will be asked to occupy multiple blockers in the middle and do the grunt work that usually goes unnoticed. If he can hold up and win his matchups, it will have a majorly positive trickle-down effect on the rest of the defense.

Teammate’s take: “Darius is my guy. He’s our leader of our D-line. He’s the tip of our spear. He does everything right…He is the badass guy of the group, basically. He’s the man.” —  Martinson.

2. Jacob De Jesus, WR, junior

De Jesus has yet to catch a pass in a Division I game, but he has stood out the entire offseason as UNLV’s best offensive player. Whether he’s lining up in the slot and running a seam route, or starting outside and snapping off a whip route, he creates separation like no one else on the team. De Jesus is likely to lead the team in targets and serve as Brumfield’s security blanket/chain mover, and his elusiveness after the catch allows to break off big gainers. He may appear slight at 5-foot-7, 175 pounds, but De Jesus is for real.

Teammate’s take: “Quickest receiver I’ve ever seen…Fastest I’ve guarded … Speedy Gonzalez, that’s my nickname for him.” — Williams.

1. Doug Brumfield, QB, junior

Brumfield is the face of the program and a proven playmaker, and he’s poised for the ultimate breakout season in 2023. He put up superstar numbers through the first five games last year, only for injuries to derail his quest for All-Mountain West honors; now he’s running a new offensive system that should be tailored to perfectly fit his skill set, and he’s got good weapons around him. Brumfield passed for 1,898 yards in 2022, with 16 total TDs and five interceptions; if the offensive line can give him time, he could blow those numbers out of the water this season. Brumfield is the most important player, because if he takes the next step, UNLV can, too.

Teammate’s take: “He’s a leader. He wants you to be great. He’ll stay with you after practice, he’ll do anything to try to get that connection with you…He’s really the leader that you need in an offense.” — Earls.

Mike Grimala can be reached at 702-948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Mike on Twitter at twitter.com/mikegrimala.